Lavi Sharma
By: Lavi Sharma, Finance and Accounting Leader, Genpact
2025 is only just underway, but it’s already proving to be a pivotal year for the finance function. AI continues to dominate discussions, with leaders acknowledging its growing impact on business and finance operations. Central to the conversation is the rise of agentic AI. Capable of looking beyond pre-set algorithms to make complex decisions and taking actions independently, agentic AI is bringing us closer to autonomous finance. This technology evolution coincides with broader macroeconomic trends including tariffs, inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty, creating an even more complex landscape for finance leaders to navigate in the year ahead. From AI transforming the way decisions are made, to new approaches to data, risk, and talent, here’s what finance leaders need to know to stay ahead.
1. AI: From assistant to advisor
AI in finance has already made great strides—not just in automating repetitive tasks like invoice processing but also in assisting with data analysis and decision-making. It’s set to go even further in 2025.
AI will step into the role of a strategic advisor, handling complex knowledge work like analyzing trends, identifying risks, and forecasting outcomes. For finance leaders, this means having a powerful partner that enhances their ability to make smarter, faster decisions.
In addition, as Chinese startup Deepseek dramatically demonstrated, the cost of developing and using AI models could fall, encouraging CFOs to find more applications for AI. This will help balance the upfront costs with long-term savings, making the case for AI much clearer. With this clarity, AI is set to move from experimental to essential in finance operations.
2. Turning data into dollars
For years, organizations have focused on centralizing their data into lakes and warehouses. The next big challenge? Turning all that data into real value by transforming it into actionable insights that drive smarter, faster decisions. Innovative AI tools will help finance teams get there, enabling them to cut through the noise and act decisively when it matters most.
But speed alone won’t be enough. In 2025, confidence in the data will be key. Data lineage will take centerstage, tracing every piece of data back to its source and showing how it was processed and turned into an insight. With this level of transparency, both internal and external teams will have greater trust in the data, even when decisions need to be made at lightning speed.
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3. Risk and controls: a new era of oversight
The risk and controls landscape is shifting fast as digital adoption picks up speed. Finance leaders—whether controllers, treasurers, or IT heads—are focusing on achieving transparency and visibility across their processes and systems. This has sparked a growing interest in tools like anomaly detection and single-pane dashboards, which offer a clear, holistic view of performance and compliance.
At the same time, new risks are emerging, from sustainability to cybersecurity to the complexities of AI adoption. To keep up, organizations are rethinking their control frameworks, putting measures in place to manage these risks—examples include real-time audits for AI models and ESG metrics to help stay compliant and ahead of the curve. The challenge of balancing short-term investments against long-term impact is not a new one for finance leaders, but with AI adoption picking up speed along with changing regulations and other macroeconomic factors like new tariffs and pricing pressures, having a robust risk management strategy will be key.
4. The fight for finance talent
The finance talent pool is shrinking, and it’s going to be a major challenge in 2025—especially in accounting. In the US, fewer people are pursuing careers in accounting, drawn instead to fields like data science and software engineering. For CFOs, this means rethinking how to attract, retain, and upskill their teams.
The effects of this shortage are already being felt. Some companies are reporting material weaknesses in their financial reporting because they simply don’t have enough qualified talent. To compete, organizations will need to make accounting and finance roles more appealing. That means offering growth opportunities and integrating exciting technologies like AI, robotic process automation (RPA), and data analytics into everyday work.
But it’s not just about attracting new talent—it’s about keeping the team you have. Today’s workforce wants to learn and grow. Without strong upskilling programs, companies risk losing their best people to competitors who prioritize career development. By investing in training and creating clear paths for growth, CFOs can tackle the talent gap head-on and build teams ready to take on the future of finance.
A glimpse ahead
The future of finance is full of opportunities—but it’s not without its challenges. In 2025, CFOs who embrace AI as a strategic partner, tap into the full value of their data, strengthen their risk management strategies, and prioritize talent development will set their organizations up for long-term success.
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